The Shiromani Punjab Forum has warned that excluding sugarcane-based ethanol from the E20 programme in 2026-27 could hurt Punjab’s sugarcane farmers and cooperative sugar mills, while increasing maize demand from ethanol, poultry and dairy industries, media outlets report.
In a discussion paper authored by former Punjab Special Chief Secretary KBS Sidhu, the think tank highlighted groundwater depletion linked to rice-based ethanol production and questioned the economics of using FCI rice for fuel.
It recommended retaining B-heavy molasses for cooperative mills, linking feedstock prices to water consumption and promoting kharif maize through assured procurement. The Forum invited stakeholders to submit suggestions.
